What comfortable gifts help during treatment?
- Soft, front-fastening or button-up clothing and pyjamas, which are easier after surgery.
- A small cushion to put between the chest and a car seatbelt on the journey home after surgery.
- Warm socks, a soft blanket or a hat or headscarf if they lose their hair.
- Unscented lip balm and hand cream. Check with them first, as their care team may recommend specific products, especially during radiotherapy.
- A large water bottle, a notebook for questions and appointments, and a phone charger with a long cable for hospital visits.
What practical help makes a difference?
- Cooked meals or food delivery vouchers. Ask about food they can manage, as treatment can change taste and appetite.
- Lifts to appointments, or money towards hospital parking.
- Help with childcare, pets, shopping, cleaning or gardening.
- Something to pass the time: books, audiobooks, puzzles, a streaming subscription or a playlist.
What should I check before buying a gift?
- Some hospital wards do not allow flowers, so check before you bring them.
- Strong scents can be hard to cope with during treatment that causes sickness.
- Avoid giving supplements, special diets or alternative remedies unless their care team agrees.
- Ask what they would like rather than guessing. A message saying you are thinking of them is a gift too.
Can a gift give something back?
You can donate in their honour. Add a dedication on our donate page and choose "in honour of"; approved tributes can appear on our Dedication Wall. Every £25 can fund one breast screening for a woman who has never been examined. You can then print a card that says a screening was given in their name.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put in a care package for someone with breast cancer?
Comfortable clothing, unscented lip balm, a water bottle, a notebook, snacks they enjoy, and something to pass the time. Check with them before including skincare or scented products.
What is a good gift for someone who has just had breast surgery?
Soft front-fastening tops or pyjamas, a small seatbelt cushion for the drive home, and practical help such as meals or lifts while they recover.
What should I not give someone with breast cancer?
Avoid strongly scented gifts, supplements or alternative remedies unless their care team agrees, and check before bringing flowers to hospital.
Sources and references
This page is general information, not medical advice. A GP or doctor can advise on your own situation. Source links do not imply endorsement by the NHS or another organisation. See our editorial policy.